Lidar assembly with modularized components

Abstract

Embodiments of the disclosure provide a LiDAR assembly with a one-piece frame. The LiDAR assembly includes a plurality of modularized components configured to sense an environment surrounding the LiDAR assembly. The LiDAR assembly also includes the one-piece frame including a base, a plurality of vertical beams supported by the base, and a plurality of horizontal beams supported by the vertical beams. The base, the vertical beams, and the horizontal beams are integrally formed without mechanical connections therebetween. The vertical beams and the horizontal beams are equipped with positioning mechanisms configured to position the plurality of modularized components at predetermined positions of the LiDAR assembly.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A LiDAR assembly with a one-piece frame, comprising:
 a plurality of modularized components configured to sense an environment surrounding the LiDAR assembly; and 
 the one-piece frame, comprising:
 a base; 
 a plurality of vertical beams supported by the base; and 
 a plurality of horizontal beams supported by the vertical beams, 
 
 wherein the vertical beams and the horizontal beams are equipped with positioning mechanisms configured to position the plurality of modularized components at predetermined positions of the LiDAR assembly, wherein the plurality of modularized components are affixed to respective brackets and the positioning mechanisms are configured to receive the brackets. 
 
     
     
       2. The LiDAR assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the horizontal beams and vertical beams collectively form a plurality of openings on a top face opposite the base and at least one lateral face of the one-piece frame, configured to allow a modularized component to be accessible and removable from the LiDAR assembly without removing another modularized component of the LiDAR assembly. 
     
     
       3. The LiDAR assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the base, the vertical beams, and the horizontal beams are integrally formed without mechanical connections therebetween. 
     
     
       4. The LiDAR assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the positioning mechanisms comprise a guideway, affixed to the one-piece frame through positioning tabs, configured to receive at least one of the modularized components. 
     
     
       5. The LiDAR assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the guideway comprises at least one lock point, configured to position the corresponding modularized component on the guideway. 
     
     
       6. The LiDAR assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the positioning mechanisms comprise a plurality of fastener holes configured to affix at least one of the modularized components. 
     
     
       7. The LiDAR assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the one-piece frame is designed based on the predetermined positions of the plurality of modularized components in the LiDAR assembly. 
     
     
       8. The LiDAR assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the one-piece frame is made from a single piece of metal using metal cutting or die casting. 
     
     
       9. The LiDAR assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the single piece of metal comprises at least one of aluminum or aluminum alloy. 
     
     
       10. The LiDAR assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of modularized components comprises an integrated transmitter-receiver module assembled on a first bracket, configured to:
 emit optical signals to an environment surrounding the LiDAR assembly; and 
 detect returned optical signals from the environment, 
 wherein the positioning mechanisms equipped on the vertical beams are configured to position the integrated transmitter-receiver module through the first bracket. 
 
     
     
       11. The LiDAR assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of modularized components further comprise a control module affixed on a printed circuit board (PCB), configured to control the integrated transmitter-receiver module to emit the optical signals,
 wherein the positioning mechanisms equipped on the horizontal beams are configured to position the control module through the PCB. 
 
     
     
       12. The LiDAR assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of modularized components further comprise an interface module affixed on a second bracket, configured to operatively couple the integrated transmitter-receiver module and the controller module,
 wherein the positioning mechanisms equipped on the vertical beams are further configured to position the interface module outside one of the lateral faces of the one-piece frame through the second bracket. 
 
     
     
       13. A one-piece frame for a LiDAR assembly, comprising:
 a base; 
 a plurality of vertical beams supported by the base; and 
 a plurality of horizontal beams supported by the vertical beams, 
 wherein the base, the vertical beams, and the horizontal beams are integrally formed without mechanical connections therebetween, 
 wherein the vertical beams and the horizontal beams are equipped with positioning mechanisms configured to position a plurality of modularized components at predetermined positions of the LiDAR assembly, wherein the plurality of modularized components are affixed to respective brackets and the positioning mechanisms are configured to receive the brackets. 
 
     
     
       14. The one-piece frame of  claim 13 , wherein the horizontal beams and vertical beams collectively form a plurality of openings on a top face opposite the base and at least one lateral face of the one-piece frame, configured to allow a modularized component to be accessible and removable from the LiDAR assembly without removing another modularized component of the LiDAR assembly. 
     
     
       15. The one-piece frame of  claim 13 , wherein the positioning mechanisms comprise a guideway, affixed to the one-piece frame through positioning tabs, configured to receive at least one of the modularized components. 
     
     
       16. The one-piece frame of  claim 15 , wherein the guideway comprises at least one lock point, configured to position the corresponding modularized component on the guideway. 
     
     
       17. The one-piece frame of  claim 13 , wherein the positioning mechanisms comprise a plurality of fastener holes configured to affix at least one of the modularized components. 
     
     
       18. A method for making a one-piece frame for a LiDAR assembly, comprising:
 integrally forming a base, a plurality of vertical beams, and a plurality of horizontal beams from a single piece of metal, wherein the base, the vertical beams, and the horizontal beams have no mechanical connections therebetween; and 
 forming positioning mechanisms on at least one of the vertical beams and the horizontal beams, wherein the positioning mechanisms are configured to position a plurality of modularized components of the LiDAR assembly at predetermined positions, wherein the plurality of modularized components are affixed to respective brackets and the positioning mechanisms are configured to receive the brackets. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18 , wherein integrally forming the base, the plurality of vertical beams and the plurality of horizontal beams further comprises:
 cutting portions of the single piece of metal away to form a plurality of openings on a top face opposite the base and at least one lateral face of the one-piece frame, wherein the plurality of openings allow a modularized component to be accessible and removable from the LiDAR assembly without removing another modularized component of the LiDAR assembly. 
 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 18 , wherein forming the positioning mechanisms further comprises:
 affixing guideways to at least one of the vertical beams and the horizontal beams through positioning tabs.